Heart Failure
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What is it?
• Heart Failure (HF) does not mean that the heart
has stopped or is about to stop.
• Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart
does not pump blood through the body as well
as it should.
• This causes a person to feel tired & weak due to
less nutrient & oxygen rich blood reaching the
body’s cells.
How common is this?
• Heart Failure is very
common.
• Heart Failure affects
nearly 5 million
Americans.
• An estimated 400,000
to 700,000 cases are
diagnosed each year.
What causes Heart Failure?
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Coronary artery disease
Previous heart attack
High blood pressure
Heart valve disease
Heart muscle disease
Abnormal heart rhythms, anemia, congenital
heart disease
What happens in heart failure?
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Not enough blood circulates.
Blood backs up in veins.
Fluid builds up causing congestion.
The body holds too much fluid.
Fluid builds up in lungs, legs, abdomen.
HF is chronic & progressive, but people can lead
normal & active lives by taking good care of
themselves & monitoring their health.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
• Shortness of breath
• Problems breathing
when lying down
• Waking at night with
coughing or shortness
of breath
• Edema or swelling to
feet, ankles, legs, or
abdomen
• Weakness or
tiredness
• Weight gain
• Loss of appetite
• Increased heart rate
or palpitations
• Confusion or inability
to think clearly
Heart Failure
Ways to manage the disease
Management of the disease
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Weighing daily is very important.
Take medications as directed.
Follow a low sodium diet.
Get regular exercise.
Stop smoking.
Avoid excess fluid consumption, alcohol.
Know the warning signs of heart failure & when
to call the doctor.
• Keep follow up appointments.
The goal is to monitor for symptoms everyday
a stable CHF patient should have:
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No shortness of breath
No weight gain of more than 2 pounds in a day
No swelling of feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
No chest pain
Call the doctor for any of these warning signs:
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2 lb weight gain in 1 day
More than 5 lb weight gain in a week
Shortness of breath
Edema/swelling to feet, ankles, legs, stomach
Lack of energy or feeling more tired
Dry hacking cough
Dizziness
Uneasy feeling – something is not right
Harder to breath when lying flat
Call 911 or go to ER when:
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Struggling to breathe
Unrelieved shortness of breath
Chest pain
Confusion
Inability to think clearly
Daily Weights
• Weigh daily and keep a record.
• Same time each day, with the same amount of
clothing.
• Usually done first thing in the morning after going to
the bathroom.
• Before breakfast.
• Concerned family or friends can encouage each day
or ask “How was your weight today?”or “Have you
noticed any changes in your weight?”
• Bring the weight record to all physician appoinments
Medications
• Take medications exactly as prescribed & have an
updated & accurate list.
• Common HF medications:
– Diuretics (water pills) – Lasix/furosemide,
Zaroxolyn/metolazone, Bumex/bumetanide,
Aldactone/spironolactone
– ACE inhibitors – Zestril/lisinopril, Capoten/captopril,
Vasotec/enalapril, Altace/ramipril
– ARB (used instead of ACE) – Cozaar/losartan,
Diovan/valsartan, Atacand/candesartan
– Beta blockers – Lopressor or Toprol/metoprolol,
Coreg/carvedilol,
Physical Activity
• Incorporate exercise in your activities
• Form an exercise group to help with motivation
• Types of physical activity
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Walking
Gardening
Biking
Wii
• Cardiac rehab
• Be sure though that you are balancing rest &
exercise
Diet
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Diet is very important in the management of HF
Limit sodium intake
Use fresh instead of canned
Avoid processed foods
Limit fluid intake
Try to bake, broil, steam, roast, poach, boil foods
without salt
• Help or encourage residents to make the right
choices & serving sizes
Sodium
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Less than 2000mg/day is the goal
Don’t add salt when cooking
Season with herbs instead
Try to used fresh or frozen vegetables instead of
canned, but if you must use canned, rinse the
vegetables off before using
• Avoid processed foods like hot dogs, lunch
meats, bacon, etc.
• Be aware of sodium content in sauces,
dressings, & spreads
Fresh instead of Canned
• 1 cup of fresh cooked
peas:
2mg of sodium
• 1 cup of regular
canned peas:
400mg of sodium
Salt
One level teaspoon of salt has about
2300 mg of sodium
Sodium
• LOW sodium foods
• HIGH sodium foods
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Breads (yeast breads have less
sodium than those made with
baking soda)
Many cold cereals like shredded
wheat, bran flakes, puffed
rice/wheat
Cooked cereals, pastas, rice &
other starches made without salt
Low fat or reduced sodium cheese
in small amounts
Tuna packed in water
Fresh meats & fish
Eggs
Any fresh or frozen fruit or
vegetables
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Breads or crackers topped with
salt
Biscuits, cornbread, & other quick
breads made with baking soda
Canned or pickled vegetables like
sauerkraut
French fries & onion rings
Buttermilk & processed cheeses
Cured, smoked or canned meats
Salted butter/margarine, ketchup,
BBQ sauce, salsa, pickles, soy
sauce
Fluids
• As a general rule people with heart failure
should avoid excess fluids.
• Some people may also be instructed to restrict
their fluids.
• This just isn’t beverages but also soups, jellos,
ice creams, etc.
• Alcohol should be avoided.
Summary
• Heart Failure is a chronic condition in which the
heart can not pump blood through the body as well
as it should.
• This causes blood to back up & fluid to build setting
off symptoms of shortness of breath, swelling,
fatigue, cough, dizziness, & weight gain.
• Heart Failure can be managed by monitoring for
symptoms daily, a low sodium diet, limiting fluids, &
exercise.
• Websites:
– www.abouthf.org
– www.heart.org
– www.heartfailure.org